Yeah, we all want a lift in our dream garage. But you got to walk before you run. First, you have to set yourself up with a floor jack. Even if you're lucky enough to move into a shop with a pit, lifts, and all the other fancy stuff you can dream of, a floor jack is still an essential item. There are a lot of options out there, though, and that can make getting started tough. It can even be a little scary when you think about how incredibly important it is for a jack to be well-made and how many junk brands are out there.
We've put top brands to the test in our own garages and workshops, and we're here to recommend our favorites and guide you towards the right purchase for your needs.
Best Overall
Big Red 4-Ton Torin Hydraulic Low Profile Service/Floor Jack
Summary
A solid, reliable jack that'll lift anything you're working with. Big Red's 4-ton jack is the perfect fit for the home garage.
Pros
- Great quality
- Dual-piston pump for quick operation
- Weight capacity covers most applications
- Built in overload system improves safety
Cons
- Minimum height is taller than most
- Quality control issues are somewhat common
Best Value
Husky 3-Ton Low Profile Floor Jack
Summary
Husky's 3-ton jack might be affordable, but it's not cheap. A dual-piston design and excellent lift range put it inline with the best.
Pros
- Affordable
- Excellent lift range
- Dual-piston design speeds up operation
Cons
- Quality control issues are common
- Release can be hard to control
Best Off-road
Badland 3-ton Off-road Jack
Summary
Harbor Freight prides itself on offering pro-level tools at a discount. This jack is a great representation of its achievements and will work literally anywhere.
Pros
- Excellent lift range
- Competitive pricing
- Dual-piston design speeds up operation
Cons
- Relatively heavy
Summary Listof the Best Floor Jacks
- Best Overall: Big Red 4-Ton Torin Hydraulic Low Profile Service/Floor Jack
- Best Value: Husky 3-Ton Low Profile Floor Jack
- Best Off-Road: Badland 3-Ton Off-Road Jack
- Honorable Mention: Daytona 3-Ton Low Profile Professional Floor Jack
- Best Aluminum: Big Red Torin Low-Profile 3-Ton Aluminum Floor Jack
Our Methodology
Every mechanic, weekend warrior, and DIYer needs a floor jack. Our team has plenty of experience working with them and has a solid understanding of what makes a good jack, as well as which brands you can count on. Still, it's important to keep ourselves in check, especially when talking about a product your safety is counting on. That's why we take the time to research the market, the best that manufacturers have to offer, and what consumers have to say about how floor jacks perform in the real world before we recommend them to you.
Managing editor Jonathon Klein also tested Harbor Freight's killer Badland off-road jack to its limits, and came out the other side, which is why it's on this list.
Best Floor Jacks: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: Big Red 4-Ton Torin Hydraulic Low Profile Service/Floor Jack
Specs:
- Manufacturer: Big Red
- Lift Range: 4 to 20 Inches
- Weight Capacity: 4-Ton (8,000 Pounds)
Pros
Great quality
Dual-piston pump for quick operation
Weight capacity covers most applications
Built in overload system improves safety
Cons
Minimum height is taller than most
Quality control issues are somewhat common
I'm listing Big Torin as the top pick because it's my personal go-to. Over the years, I've found the quality and performance of its equipment perfect for the average consumer. Competitive pricing is just a bonus. This jack brings a lift range of four to 20 inches to the table with a 4-ton weight capacity. Those two factors combined make for a jack that covers most applications in the average garage. This model also features a dual-piston mechanism that makes for quick lifting and a built-in overload system in case you accidentally try to take on more than it can handle.
Of course, it does have its downsides While I personally have yet to run into any, quality control issues seem to be a bit of a concern for the brand. Also, the minimum height might be a little too high for some low-sitting applications.
Best Value: Husky 3-Ton Low Profile Floor Jack
Specs:
- Manufacturer: Husky
- Lift Range: 3.125 to 19.75 Inches
- Weight Capacity: 3-Ton (6,000 Pounds)
Pros
Affordable
Excellent lift range
Dual-piston design speeds up operation
Cons
Quality control issues are common
Release can be hard to control
Husky's 3-ton floor jack is a solid choice for anyone working with budget constraints. With one of the lowest minimum heights on this list, it easily slips under most vehicles. Pairing that with a 19.75 lift height makes for a rather versatile jack. The affordable price is what most care about, though, and it's easy to see why with a price tag that's about half that of notoriously budget-friendly brands. Despite that low price, it still works with a dual-piston mechanism, making it a true contender in every way.
That affordability does seem to come at the cost of quality control, as there are a few too many complaints of defective units among customer reviews to ignore. Also, some have pointed out that releasing pressure can be more difficult to control than normal.
Best Off-road: Badland 3-ton Off-road Jack
Pros
3-ton lift capacity
Relatively lightweight design
Easy mounting
Huge lift capacity in height
Cons
Can be slower to lift than others
One of the biggest issues with getting anything done in the backcountry when things go wrong is getting your rig up far enough to fix the issue. That's especially true when you have a UTV, like managing editor Jonathon Klein, which has 20-inches of suspension travel. That's where Harbor Freight's killer Badland 3-ton off-road jack comes into play.
As it says in the name, it's capable of lifting up to 3-tons and doing so on any surface thanks to rugged wheels, a high ride height, and a pretty light design despite its capacity. It'll lift up to 29-inches of travel, which makes it perfect for UTVs, ATVs, and lifted Jeeps, and has an easy carrying handle. It also comes with a hard-point attachment so you can mount it somewhere to your rig.
And because it's from our favorite brand Harbor Freight, it won't kill your bank account with a price of just $300 at the time of writing. However, we've seen in on sale multiple times, so save your pennies and get a discount.
Honorable Mention: Daytona 3-Ton Low Profile Professional Floor Jack
Specs:
- Manufacturer: Daytona
- Lift Range: 3.25 to 20 Inches
- Weight Capacity: 3-Ton (6,000 Pounds)
Pros
Excellent lift range
Competitive pricing
Dual-piston design speeds up operation
Cons
Relatively heavy
Rubber pad design can see improvement
Harbor Freight's Daytona line aims to provide pro-level tools at a reasonable price, which is something many feel it has achieved. This jack is a great representation of its efforts. It offers an excellent lift range, a dual-piston mechanism, and premium design qualities throughout to boost user experience positively. It truly is representative of higher-end jacks but at a much lower price point than its premium counterparts.
There are few user complaints surrounding this Daytona jack. That doesn't mean they don't exist, though. Many feel it's very heavy for what it is, but that may be something you're willing to live with if you're after an all-steel jack. Also, the rubber pad inside the saddle sits below the raised steel edges, which isn't ideal, considering they're more likely to make contact with surfaces you're trying to protect.
Best Aluminium: Big Red Torin Low-Profile 3-Ton Aluminum Floor Jack
Specs:
- Manufacturer: Big Red
- Lift Range: 3.74 to 18.9 Inches
- Weight Capacity: 3-Ton (6,000 Pounds)
Pros
Lightweight construction
Excellent lift range
Dual-piston design speeds up operation
Cons
Expensive
Pump may need tweaking to work correctly
Big Red's aluminum jack is just right for those who need something lightweight and reliable. Its 3-ton weight capacity might be overkill for many circle track events and, hopefully, for any other race car you're working on, but that only means it's safer than others. The aluminum construction brings weight down to 56 pounds, but it still has all of the features you demand in high-paced situations between rounds. The dual-piston mechanism keeps things moving, while 18.9 inches of lift gets whatever you need off the ground.
As with any aluminum jack, the price is the main drawback, as this is one of the more expensive options DIYers will consider. Also, it's worth mentioning that the dual-pump mechanism may need some maintenance out of the box to function properly.
Our Verdict on the Best Floor Jacks
The Big Red 4-Ton Torin Hydraulic Low Profile Service/Floor Jack takes the place of Best Overall for its balance of reliability and useful features at a competitive price point. However, the Husky 3-Ton Low Profile Floor Jack is a great option if you're working with a particularly tight budget but need something reliable.
Floor Jack Features You Should Know
Here's everything you need to know.
Features
Weight capacity: The first and easiest detail to sort out is the weight capacity of any floor jack you're considering. After all, if the floor jack can't lift what you need it to, it's of no use to you. Thankfully, the weight capacity is often the first thing manufacturers tell you about. They'll generally declare it to be a 3-ton, 6-ton, or whatever weight capacity it's capable of lifting right in the name. The only thing for you to do is pick the appropriate weight capacity for your vehicle. Keep in mind that, even if a jack should only lift a percentage of a vehicle’s overall weight, you should go with more than you think you’ll need to be safe.
Lift range: The height range is another critical detail you need to consider before you buy. It's especially critical for lifted and lowered vehicles, but something all car owners really need to sort out to ensure a jack works for them. You'll often find floor jacks listed with a lift range or a minimum and maximum height. These numbers essentially tell you what ride height the jack will work for. You need to compare your vehicle's ride height to these numbers to ensure a jack will work for you. Keep in mind that you want to have a few inches to spare on the maximum height, as suspension travel must be taken up before the wheels lift off the ground.
Construction material: How you use a jack determines what material should primarily be featured in its construction. If you're using it around the shop and don't have to move it from place to place, steel is the best choice. It's the sturdiest material and will offer the longest lifespan for a jack. Aluminum is the other primary option you'll have to work with. Aluminum jacks aren't usually as durable as their steel counterparts, but the weight savings are worth the exchange if you're regularly transferring the jack for use in different locations, as you would for racing. This is just a general guideline, though, as different variables, such as how hard you are on jacks, will be the ultimate determining factor in how long it lasts
Pricing
Floor jacks can cost thousands of dollars, and those using them to make a living should spend the extra money on something that's going to take countless hours of abuse over its lifespan. Those of us working out of a home garage where a jack sees use a handful of times per week don't need to go overboard. $150-$300 is about what we should expect to pay.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
Q: What is a dual-piston floor jack?
A: Dual-piston floor jacks use a quick pump system to lift that reaches lift height faster than a single-pump system. This feature saves time but also drives up the selling price.
Q: Are aluminum floor jacks worth it?
A: For many people, aluminum floor jacks are a great choice, especially if they have to move the floor jack around frequently. However, if you're going to keep the jack in one spot, there's no reason not to save money and go with steel.
Q: Do I need to use jack stands with a floor jack?
A: Absolutely. As strong as floor jacks are, the system relies on small components that can give out at any moment under stress. Even if you're only working on a vehicle for a few minutes, it's essential to use jack stands to protect yourself from the worst-case scenario.
Q: Where should I place a floor jack under my vehicle?
A: Vehicles often have dedicated lift points for you to place a jack stand beneath that you should familiarize yourself with. If those points are compromised for any reason, you can use any solid point of the frame as a jack point instead.
